Reptile Expo in Clarke County
Story by Jennifer Welliver, Photographs by Aiden King
If you think you would never, ever, want to keep a snake, a lizard, or a tarantula for a pet, I suggest you visit the next Reptile Expo at the Clarke County Fairgrounds in June. The event takes place in the Ruritan Building at the fairgrounds four times a year. I visited March 22 with Clarke County High School student photographer Aiden King, who took the photos for
this article.
The expo features an array of reptiles, arthropods, and amphibians, along with equipment for setting up habitats, toys, t-shirts, hats, and more.
I truly have never dreamed of having pet snakes or lizards, and most certainly not tarantulas or centipedes. The closest I came was naming a wild frog that would come to visit in my rough old farm home when I worked at Cox Farms in Western Fairfax County at age 19. It might have been a toad, actually. I am not sure.
My visit to the Reptile Expo may not have changed my mind, but I will say that it opened it.
When you enter, snakes are the first thing you see, lots of them in all sizes and colors — and prices. But as you wander past snakes, you find lizards, salamanders, frogs, giant centipedes, tarantulas, and countless other creepy crawlies that may send shivers down
your spine.
The ambassador into the reptile world for me was the giant iguana at the back of the room. Brought by Second-Hand Dinosaurs Reptile Rescue, this guy was found abandoned in an empty apartment with his tail stuck in a closed door. He is a beautiful, graceful creature. As humans we want to put our own form of emotions onto animals, and that is easy to do when interacting with
an iguana.
Whether or not reptiles become attached to their owner in the way dogs, cats, and horses do, it is important to know that they are, for the most part, not interested in snuggling. In fact, most healthy reptiles carry salmonella bacteria in their guts and therefore it will be present in their habitats and on their skin. When handling them, you should have clean hands, and you should wash thoroughly after handling to keep from getting the bacteria yourself. So, refrain from kissing your iguana no matter how fond you are of him!
Whatever your feelings are about snakes, there are so many sizes and colors. They are really beautiful creatures to observe even if you don’t care to hold one.
Like with any pet, before purchasing it is important to consider what is involved in caring for that creature. They all have very specific requirements for
their environment.
All reptiles have different needs, depending on the species, for temperature, humidity, lighting and space. Also, what and how often they eat, and the maintenance routine on their habitat varies. A prospective owner needs to consider the amount of time and space they have for their new pet. Reptiles require regular veterinary care like our furry friends do. You will need to find a local veterinarian that cares for reptiles.
If you have brought home a pet reptile and find that you cannot care for it, search for a pet rescue near you. Some regular local shelters also take reptiles
for rehoming.
Even if you aren’t planning to purchase a new pet, the expo is a fun and educational outing for the family. The June expo will take place at the Ruritan Fairgrounds on June 28, from 9am–3pm.
Maria Zimmerman Elected President of Enders Fire Company
Story and photo by Cathy Kuehner
As the John H. Enders Fire Company & Rescue Squad begins its 125th year of serving the Clarke County community, it does so with its first-ever female president. Maria Zimmerman was sworn in during Enders’ annual banquet in mid-January.
The company is composed of “operational” staff — the firefighters and EMTs who respond to calls — and “administrative” staff who manage finances, building-related issues, and organize community events. J.C. Blaylock is the chief of operational staff.
Zimmerman has long been both an operational and administrative member. “I’ve been a firefighter-EMT and secretary for years, so I have insight into all that’s required to be president.”
Regarding the “first-ever female” qualifier in front of her new title, she said, “I’ve never felt my gender was relevant to my work at Enders. All that matters here are your qualifications and your ability to serve.”
She laughs when she recalls her career path, and credits her first jobs in theatre with developing the skills that serve her well now. “Stage managing has always been my role, and drama is part of working in a firehouse.”
Zimmerman earned a bachelor’s degree in drama from the University of Virginia in 1990. After a few years of working in theatre, she wanted a more fulfilling career.
“I set my sights on becoming a physician assistant,” she said. “Initially, fire and rescue was a means to an end. I needed medical experience to be admitted to PA school, so I went to Northern Virginia Community College and earned my EMT certificate. Then, I went to my local fire department and said, ‘Hey, I’m an EMT. Do y’all need any help?’” The reply was a resounding “Yes!”
Zimmerman quickly learned this. “When things are at their worst, firefighters and EMTs are at their best. They are brave, honest, and passionate when it comes to answering the call,” she said. “They are creative and smart, coming up with solutions on the fly. In stressful moments, they are probably being funny to ease the tension. They will literally give their lives to save a stranger. And, I decided I wanted to be one of them.”
Zimmerman rose to the rank of rescue chief at the Arcola Volunteer Fire Department, while earning her physician assistant degree at George Washington University and then working as an emergency room PA.
Along the way, she married Loudoun County firefighter Gerry Boudreau.
The couple and their young daughter moved to Clarke County in 2006. It was a 2008 Thanksgiving Day chimney fire in their home that introduced them to the John H. Enders Fire Company.
Gerry joined Enders in 2008 and, after volunteering for many fundraising events, Maria officially joined as a firefighter-EMT in 2014.
Almost immediately, Zimmerman served as a rescue lieutenant and secretary, one of the few people to work on both the operational and administrative sides of the company at the same time.
“I think that’s what set me up for being president,” she said. “The operational side says, ‘This is what we need,’ and the administrative side says, ‘We’ll figure out how to fund it. We also ask, ‘Will the community support this?’”
To that end, the company’s 10-member Board of Directors is a mix of operational and administrative members, although every Board member is or has been an operational member. As president, Zimmerman will oversee Board meetings and guide decisions about personnel, maintenance, and membership.
“I think one of my talents is knowing each person’s strengths and talents,” she said. “I know everyone here and know who to call.”
Like all fire and rescue companies, Enders is dependent on volunteers. Volunteers to run calls. Volunteers to maintain the building. Volunteers to flip pancakes and barbeque chicken during fundraising events.
In 2024, Enders firefighters and EMTs collectively, responded to 487 fires calls and 1,937 emergency medical services calls.
Anyone who’s ever watched a few episodes of “Chicago Fire” has heard characters talk about how the firehouse is a family. Enders is no different.
“There is a camaraderie in a firehouse you do not find anywhere else,” Zimmerman said. “And, working here is the best possible way to forge a community connection.”
With tears in her eyes, she talked about the day her father died at his Berryville home. “All our ambulances were out on calls. I got on our ‘line chat’ to ask for help. When I reached my Dad’s house, the street was lined with vehicles belonging to Enders volunteers. We didn’t cook for a month. That’s what this company does.”
The John H. Enders Fire Company has been taking care of its community for more than a century. Zimmerman explained that Virginia assigns agency numbers to identify fire and rescue squads; numbers are now into five digits. Enders is number 58, further evidence of its long history.
Berryville Town Council purchased its first horse-drawn hook-and-ladder truck in 1883 to provide some fire-firefighting service in town. John H. Enders, a funeral director and furniture maker, moved to Berryville in 1892, and by 1900 he helped Town Council organize the Berryville Fire Department.
The department’s first piece of motorized fire apparatus was purchased with Enders’ help in 1926, and it was kept at his Main Street funeral home. After “Captain John” Enders died in 1933, the department was renamed John H. Enders Fire Company. In 1935, a proper firehouse was built at 23 East Main Street. In 1958 a four-bay firehouse was built at 9 South Buckmarsh St. — the company’s current home — with additions built in 1963 and 1986.
Zimmerman said she feels she grew up in fire and rescue. “The people I’ve met have been with me through major life events, through the sorrows and joys life brings. They are the first people I call in a crisis, and I’m honored when they call me. They have become my extended family.”
To become an Enders volunteer — in any capacity — go to endersfire.com/volunteer. Zimmerman noted, “Running calls can be stressful. A sense of humor helps.”And, she said, “The best way community members can support Enders is by attending our fundraising events.”